Session Notes from April 29, 2010 Colloquium:

Jim gave an overview of the session. The idea of the morning is to share ideas and resources with regards to guidance and con ed. Could this be the beginning of a new networking opportunity?

Introductions:

Susan AMDSB More about PLAR portion - senior portion.
Gina Parent wecsd curious about the wiki
Rui CI gain better understanding of guidance
Lynn - LKSB - more information to be a more accurate resource
Pam Crema - kpdsb - gain insight
S - French Board no adult/alt ed at this time - looking for september
Debbie Spicer TDSB rethinking how things may done
Beth Hobson - WCDSB - refer with guidance
Deborah Cook - YRDSB
Robert Fiztsimon cost effective options
Corrine Halton
Trudy OCSB - share resources
Joanne - more plar
Kathryn Joss
Colin Hazel - HWDSB - new to position Adult ed Alt/coned/ french english justify increasd demands
Patty - IT Departments looking at increasing information electronically
Jonathon Brown MED - interested in PLAR/transitioning Online
Chantelle - MED Ontario Skills Passport
Paul Cox - WCDSB - huge centre - guidance - consistancy
Cheryl Stewart - GEDSB .
Jim McKory - difficult to be student centred

Jim gave an overview of the wiki - all have edit and writing rights. Program is live, edits are instant. New pages can be added as required. New discussion threads can be created as the need arises. Uploads, links, files etc can all be added. Wiki is closed - by invitation only.

Items Captured at each table

table 1 LBS integreal part to play for adult
table 2 funding for guidance is critical
table 3 paid coop - integration of online learning - flexibility
table 4 one stop shop - access to services clear pathway

Serious Challenge - The Bad & The Ugly

Table 1 competition for learners - not serving learners best streamline services
Table 2 HR staffing - cross enrollment - shared students/dual tracking systems not same
Table 3 registration overload - continuous intake/ocas
Table 4 not considered standard - legislation/contractual ONSIS and reporting

HWDSB - Information sessions 120 at a time, overview of all options. Marketing to community, people show up - information sessions 10 times per year
Transisition - not just a gr 8 - 9. Students who are 18 are now being accepted. System as a whole needs to understand how it works. Profile of learner - pathway of learner - how HWDSB flows with all adult learners.

Chantelle presented Passport to Prosperity - recognized nationally and internationally. Identify skill requirements from employers - used to validate/ Give learners and teachers skills to transfer to everyday life or futher education and training. Heavily used in coop. Written in to curriculum of GLN and GLD. Tools are both self directed and instructor led. On OSP there is a check in tool - could be used as a great resource for intake and assessment. Quick method to gauge student interest and ability. Career education can/should take place in all aspects of learning. Can be used to make essential skills a part of everyday activites and allows students to identify
Entire resource for EO partnerships - design action plans for both learners and job seekers. Job chart identifies noc codes and skill requirements. Allows staff/learners to do effective research.

PLAR discussion -

tracking 9 & 10 plar in student tracking - plar tracking sheets not accurate - doesn't match determination forms
Jonathon - in the works
Gr 9 & 10 tests on Elearning - CESBA contracted and drafts are completed in print and online - ready for Pilot in January 2011. Will be looking for pilot sites.
Not just tests - other activies that learners/guidance can use. Give accurate information as to readiness for next level

Students where are MPLAR eligible but have all compulsaries. but are short other credits - what happens to them at that point.

PPM 132 to be revised and those issues would be addressed.

Which works best for senior plar - interview & documention or package developed by CESBA. Kathryn HWDSB - application with documents as available. Pull course outlines that match expectations with experience then grant equivilancies as relevant. Questions in writing to confirm experience/expectations are met. Meetings every 2nd week, print course that they believe matches their skill. Onus on student to research and find appropriate courses etc. Forms from other boards to be posted on Wiki.

Pressure from Counsellors to PLAR when students may not be ready to attempt senior credits. Preparation through LBS to determine suitability. Difference between eligible and suitable. Students have to find the light on their own - create their own success.

Jonathon - data - learner profiles and how PLAR may benefit them. Demonstrate at .board and provincial level the impact and results. Given fiscal environment data is imperitive.

Not just passing the test - be prepared. Part of intake is conversation around what students really need to be prepared to learn - possibly LBS as a positive preparation. Need to demonstrate ability/skill set to attempt higher levels.

Documentation for grad - PLAR - do they need to be included in OSR? Documentation kept for 2 years then shredded.

Since ministry is asking #'s of PLARs then they should be given student number to track. Identify in system who started PLAR but not completed.
Early school leaver data not being collected.

Heartened to hear about LBS Adult Credit collaberation

Provincial adult student grads not tracked by enrollment - credit accumulation through night school.